Autumn is Here!!!

This is a quick update as we have been consumed with grandparents' visits and time in the NICU. We have been spending between 12 - 15 hours in the NICU with our beautiful baby girl. We have adjusted into a bit more of a balanced schedule... Autumn is a big fan of being held and cuddled so we try to have her day filled with people holding her and singing to her while she waits for her surgery. 

The birth was about 7 hours. I was able to have her naturally - even though the Cervidil intervention brought on some pretty intense contractions. Andre and our Doula - Robin - were absolutely wonderful supports and I could not have done it without them. She got an APGAR of 1 then 8 and pinked up really well after her first 5 minutes of life. The docs put her on me right when she was born - just for a few seconds then for about 30 seconds after all her checks. For all the interventions and hospital procedures, I am happy with the birth that I was able to give Autumn. I would not choose to be in the hospital again, but I am thankful that she came quickly and safely into the world. 

She traveled with mom down to the NICU for all her first echocardiograms and ultrasounds and implementation of her Pic Line to deliver the prostaglandins that keep her ductus open. 

Andre and I got to visit her about 5 hours after my labor. I walked to the other hospital pushing my wheelchair like a walker and feeling pretty good considering that I had just delivered a baby. We got to hold her and talk to her before we went back for our 2 hours of sleep.... sleep has definitely been a struggle as we've been spending all the time we can with Autumn and I've been pumping every three hours - including throughout the night. 

At the moment, Autumn is very stable. Her condition was confirmed and she has Tetrology of Fallot with the hole between her two ventricles and the pulmonary valve that is not working. All of the other potential complications seem to not be present and the cardiologist is looking to do the full repair within the next week. 

We love her so much and have been so thankful to have this time get to know her. Can't believe it's already been 6 days. 

Upcoming posts 

- Andre's perspective of the birth

- Mom will also be updating Autumn's treatment